It was a special day for Sidcup’s Royal Oak Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges on Tuesday 10th January.
The evening began in style at the town’s Shirley Woolmer Masonic Hall, with Adrian Grant being Installed into the Chair of Adoniram for the first time. Adrian is well known across the Mark Province of Kent and the Craft Province of West Kent both for his commitment to and enthusiasm for Freemasonry, as well as for his excellent and unique style of organ playing!
With a further active appointment pending in the Craft in West Kent, it was only natural that the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Mark Estaugh, and his Deputy, W.Bro. Ian Gallehawk should turn up to support Adrian as he took this very important step in Freemasonry. A tremendous ceremony with the work shared and delivered with great skill. Adrian’s appointment of his Officers was heartfelt and pitched at just the right level.
Once again, the Craft and the Mark in Kent can be seen to be working seamlessly together. The future looks very bright indeed!
Following the Mark meeting the Royal Ark Mariner Lodge celebrated its 125th anniversary. While this is not an anniversary that attracts a celebratory warrant, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, David Stiff attended with a delegation to congratulate the Lodge on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master and, of course, himself and the entire Executive.
During the evening, W.Bro. David took the Chair and delivered a brief history of the Lodge, honouring the Founders and all who came after.
As if this were not enough, Bro. Sean Chapman was then Elevated, making it a 100% conversion from the Royal Oak Mark Lodge to the Royal Oak R.A.M. Lodge.
Bro. Adrian Grant, who had just been installed then received his Grand Master’s Royal Ark Council Certificate.